Monterey Jack Burgers with Balsamic Onions and Zucchini Fries

There are countless burger recipes out there, but this one truly stands out. Imagine a juicy beef patty topped with oozy, melted Monterey Jack cheese and sweet-tangy balsamic onions. It’s a flavor combination that’s hard to beat.

And we’re not stopping there-these burgers come with crispy zucchini fries on the side. They’re the perfect crunchy finger food that also sneaks in some veggies. Whether you’re firing up the grill or cooking on the stovetop, this meal is sure to become a favorite.

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Ingredients

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ZucchiniView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon MayonnaiseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Balsamic VinegarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Dried OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

20 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 cup Monterey Jack CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 unit Potato BunsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon KetchupView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. If you plan to grill the burgers and buns, heat the grill to high as well. Wash and dry all produce. Mince or grate the garlic until you have 1/2 teaspoon (save the remaining clove for another use). Halve, peel and thinly slice the red onion. Cut the zucchini into 3-inch-long sections, then halve each piece lengthwise. Cut the halves into thin wedges.
2. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise with as much of the minced garlic as you like (start with a pinch). Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Set aside.
3. Heat a large drizzle of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, tossing occasionally, until nicely browned, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Continue cooking until the mixture becomes syrupy, 1-2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the jammy onions to a small bowl and set aside. Wipe out the pan.
4. While the onion cooks, toss the zucchini wedges with 1 tablespoon of the garlic aioli in a medium bowl until evenly coated. Add the panko breadcrumbs, dried oregano and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Toss so the crumbs stick to the zucchini (it’s okay if not all adhere). Spread the zucchini in a single layer on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake until the panko is golden brown, about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
5. Heat another drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat (or prepare the grill). Shape the ground beef into 4 patties, making them slightly wider than the buns. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Cook the patties in the pan or on the grill until they reach your desired doneness, about 3-5 minutes per side. Top each patty with shredded Monterey Jack cheese, then cover the pan or grill and cook until the cheese melts, about 1 minute more.
6. While the burgers cook, split the potato buns in half and place them on a baking sheet (or directly on the grill if using). Toast until golden, about 3 minutes. Spread ketchup and the remaining garlic aioli on the cut sides of the buns. Place a burger patty on each bun and top with as much balsamic onion jam as you like. Serve the zucchini fries on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute Monterey Jack with provolone, mozzarella or a mild cheddar. The key is a good melting cheese.

Can I make the zucchini fries ahead of time?

They are best fresh out of the oven for maximum crispiness. However, you can reheat them in a hot oven for a few minutes to restore some crunch.

Can I grill the burgers instead of pan-frying?

Absolutely! Preheat your grill to high and cook the patties directly on the grates. Toast the buns on the grill as well.